In the world of beauty, a new trend is gaining traction among low-maintenance enthusiasts: cheek blush tattoos. Despite sparking a debate over their aesthetic appeal, these semi-permanent tattoos are quickly becoming a go-to for those seeking a natural, rosy glow without the need for daily makeup application.
Cheek blush tattoos are the latest in a growing field of permanent cosmetic procedures, which includes eyebrow microblading, eyeliner tattoos, and lip blushing—treatments designed to make beauty routines more effortless. While some critics have compared the procedure’s final results to “rosacea” or “permanent sunburn,” others are embracing it as a way to streamline their beauty regimen.
Grace Clarke, a brand consultant based in New York City, decided to try the procedure as a way to simplify her daily routine. “It’s total luxury, but the way I want to live my life on a day-to-day basis is spending as little time on vanity as possible,” Clarke told The Post. Averse to traditional makeup, Clarke has opted for DIY haircuts, Russian manicures, and even plastic surgery to maintain a low-maintenance lifestyle. For her, the cheek blush procedure seemed like the perfect solution.
“I find it really sweet. There’s something sentimental to me about a rosy, fresh vibrance,” she explained.
Clarke was introduced to the procedure after discovering Velvet Cosmetic Tattoos through TikTok. The studio’s owner, Savannah Messenger, is one of the first artists in NYC to offer this service, which has become especially popular in countries like South Korea.
Messenger, who initially learned about cheek blushing when a client, Tina Nguyen, requested it, practiced the technique on the bottoms of her feet before applying it to others. Now offering the procedure at her Williamsburg studio, Messenger charges between $300 to $400 per session, depending on the duration. Clients must first schedule a consultation, during which Messenger explains the process and the risks involved, such as avoiding lasers and retinol products, which can interfere with the healing process.
Messenger stressed the importance of choosing a trained, reputable artist, as cosmetic tattoos, like any form of tattooing, carry risks of infection and poor results if done improperly. “If you mess it up, that’s it. It’s right there on somebody’s face,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy to fix, if it is fixable.”
The procedure involves lightly “buffing” pigment into the skin’s top layers, a technique Messenger likens to a “tinted microneedling treatment.” While the results may appear intense in the days following the procedure, they gradually heal into a natural, feathery blush that mimics the look of a fresh, healthy complexion.
“It’s not supposed to look like you have makeup on, it’s supposed to look like you’re just fresh,” Clarke explained.
Nguyen, the first client to undergo the procedure with Messenger, is still enjoying the results two years later. “I was always looking for long-lasting beauty solutions,” said Nguyen, whose vibrant blush continues to add a noticeable flush to her cheeks.
While Nguyen chose a more vibrant blush shade, Clarke opted for a softer hue that made her look as though she had just returned from a run. However, not everyone is a fan of the trend. Some online critics have compared the results to a rash or rosacea, with one commenter joking, “Now you have permanent sunburn.”
Dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah, who practices in New York, warned that cosmetic tattoos like cheek blushes can evolve over time. “The lines can blur, just like the hair-like strokes from microblading brows that can blend together,” he explained. The process can also complicate removal, as the healing process affects how the tattoo fades or changes.
“Anything you do on the face is something that people are going to see every day,” Dr. Shah added, emphasizing the importance of considering the long-term effects before committing to such procedures.
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